Official Evercade thread, or: cartridge porn in 2020

[Udderdude]

Hardware developers got too used to Youtubers giving a big smile and thumbs up no matter what kind of incomplete product they're handed. Protip: Only send out review models that actually fucking work properly.

[Turrican]

Hardware developers got too used to Youtubers giving a big smile and thumbs up no matter what kind of incomplete product they're handed. Protip: Only send out review models that actually fucking work properly.

Heh, good for Saturn then that there weren't youtubers around when it launched with its first OS

[Marc]

Ooh, newly announced cart is NICE, 'Renovation Collection Vol. 1':

Arcus Odyssey
Beast Wrestler
Dino Land
El Viento
Exile
Final Zone
Gaiares
Granada
Sol-Deace
Traysia
Valis: The Fantasm Soldier
Valis 3

Original article: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/ ... the_system

[Jeneki]

Since I don't see this posted yet, Evercade VS console (not a handheld) coming soon: https://evercade.co.uk/vs

Two cartridge slots is a unique choice.

[Marc]

Since I don't see this posted yet, Evercade VS console (not a handheld) coming soon: https://evercade.co.uk/vs

Two cartridge slots is a unique choice.

I've pre-ordered the Founders Edition. Comes with the four recently released arcade collections, and the Intellivision and Bitmap Bros carts, so at £160 for the entire package it's a pretty sweet deal.

Since having to let my stuff go, I've got neither the time or money to devote to individual physical collections (current gen aside), this is an affordable halfway house for me. It's proving to be an interesting selection of games as well, the recent arcade carts have a great line-up and I'll definitely be having this. Shame the Bitmap Bros cart doesn't feature Amiga games rather than MD or whatever though, in fact, I'm wondering what version of the original Speedball they'll use - Master System? I've got the Piko one which features a few interesting titles (that NES Exploding Fist though..... ), and the Codemasters collection pre-ordered, probably end up picking up the Dizzy cart at some point.

Portably, it's probably getting used more than the Switch at the moment.

[TransatlanticFoe]

There does seem to be some nice stuff on this platform. I'm keeping my eye on the upcoming consolised version, hoping the thing accepts generic controllers so I can plug something else in for the arcade games (and if the controllers are as uncomfortable as they look). Working from home, the Switch doesn't get much handheld time anymore so not really into the handheld one.

[Marc]

There does seem to be some nice stuff on this platform. I'm keeping my eye on the upcoming consolised version, hoping the thing accepts generic controllers so I can plug something else in for the arcade games (and if the controllers are as uncomfortable as they look). Working from home, the Switch doesn't get much handheld time anymore so not really into the handheld one.

Works with any generic USB controller / adaptor apparently. Controller seems to be the same d-pad and buttons as the handheld, which are pretty nice. Certainly a lot nicer to play than the Switch anyways.

[Jeneki]

VS User interface preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyC-wHs6VP4

Looks like the VS will support full button mapping, which was the one thing that stopped me from buying the handheld.

Hopefully the older cartridges will still be reasonably obtainable when the VS launches.

[Marc]

Because they're so cheap, the compulsive part of me is screaming to pick them all up, despite some of them being a bit crap.
Also, it really, really annoys me that they're numbered. Because I store my shit alphabetically. But I can't here.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Hey, you're free to choose your own ordering system - just as long as you're consistent with it

There are a couple which I'd probably get on the strength of one game - so meh, wouldn't worry about the crap if there's genuinely even one you fancy trying in each collection. I'm excited for Firehawk, which I played on the ZX Spectrum as Operation Gunship, for example and I sincerely doubt many other people are!

Might hop over to Amazon and pre-order the Vs in spite of the delays, would rather trust a random guy in a van than the postal system in December!

[Ghegs]

Some early reviews of VS are starting to pop up.

I do like the idea of the system (and the dual cartridge thing just tickles my funny bone), the prices are good and the Arcade Carts are good step up, but I'm still kinda waiting for a really interesting game to hit it.

[Marc]

I think the arcade collections are really neat, the CodeMasters collection is pretty decent, and I'm really looking forward to that Renovation cart. They're due to announce a few more in the next month or so I believe.

[Ghegs]

Another review. And another video reveals the system has some hidden games unlockable by button combos or having specific cartridges in the slots. Kinda cool, reminds me of having different cartridges in an MSX to unlock different things.

[Jeneki]

Evercade VS is now released in North America.

I'm quite happy to have the Data East arcade cart as well, which is snappy and responsive. It's vastly better than the recent console releases of Data East arcade games by 612 Entertainment, which have major input lag issues.

[TransatlanticFoe]

I picked up the VS just after xmas, because clearly my backlog was not big enough - but also some of the cartridge stock seemed fairly erratic, and one collection I wanted was announced as almost out of licence:

Namco Collection 1 (ends June 2022)
Namco Collection 2 (ends June 2022)
Technos Collection 1 (ends March 2022)
Oliver Twins Collection (ends March 2022)

Namco were only ever licensed for the handheld, Oliver Twins was done with all profits going to a museum - so they might get re-licenced at some point. The Namco ones have some interesting console oddities compared to the usual arcade focus (Mega Drive Splatterhouse games, Weaponlord, Battlecars, Burning Force) so it'd be a shame to lose them.

It's a solid piece of kit, the only real weird thing is how the power button needs to be held down briefly to turn on - a simple press doesn't actually turn it on but it does turn it off. The controller looks a bit funny but is comfortable and responsive - I've not felt the need to try a different one. I've not noticed any problems with latency or emulation hiccups, though recent firmware updates have fixed some specific issues so they are active with anything that does crop up.

While I think it could do well to get some bigger names on board, it's nice that there's a solid customer base for what's often pretty obscure/average/forgotten stuff. Good nostalgia bait anyway!

[Jeneki]

The latest firmware for the VS adds a free game of the month. April is Tapeworm Disco Puzzle (that name lol). Cute puzzle game that's not too hard outside a few specific parts, it took me a few hours to play through all 100 levels. I think the game will change tomorrow if I'm reading this right: https://evercade.co.uk/game-of-the-mont ... co-puzzle/

[Steamflogger Boss]

My current collection. System I use is the VS. Fun little device and the prices are right, imo.

Spoiler

[Marc]

Two new carts. Jaleco Arcade 1 is basically the entire Arcade Archives line-up so far, and more Gaelco stuff, which is cool because I have very little experience with their titles. Can't wait!

[Jeneki]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhESyHwfAWE

Irem arcade:
- Moon Patrol
- 10 Yard Fight
- Battle Chopper
- R-Type
- Lightning Swords
- In The Hunt

Toaplan Arcade:
- Tiger Heli
- Guardian
- Alcon
- Flying Shark
- Truxton
- Zero Wing
- Snow Bros
- Teki Paki

New handheld design, Evercade EXP, with button layout for playing tate.

[BrianC]

Do the arcade collections on the Evercade have multiple versions of the games? I like Get Star quite a bit and would hate to be stuck with the Guardian version.

[Jeneki]

Actually that's a good point, I should use the exact names advertised since Evercade releases so far have been one-version only. I'm used to the names of versions I typically play lol. I'll edit those in my post.

[Shmups4ever]

How is the emulation with Arcade games ?
No shimmering , sound bugs ? i'm curious to know ....

[Marc]

How is the emulation with Arcade games ?
No shimmering , sound bugs ? i'm curious to know ....

I've put decent time into Technos, Gaelco and Jaleco collections, and they seem just fine to me. Mind, I'm nowhere near as exacting as some here.

[Marc]

Another Toaplan cart announced.

[Turrican]

Sorry for the necrothreading, but yesterday the Evercade 3.11 firmware update went live.

What It brings to the table: the VS unit (which has a rather broad compatibility with arcade sticks out there) has now TATE mode (90° and 270°).

This means relatively affordable physical tate-enabled versions of:

Cybattler, Centipede, Millipede, Burgertime, Lock'n Chase, Darwin 4078, Battle Lane Vol. 5, Tiger Heli, Alcon, Flying Shark, Truxton, Fire Shark, Twin Cobra, Twin Hawk...

Among the others...

[hamfighterx]

Guess I'll revive this thread with the news of the new Evercade Alpha bartop mini-arcades that went up for pre-order today. I was all over the Street Fighter variant (Alpha 1-3, SF2 CE, Super Turbo, and Puzzle Fighter), particularly the special edition Sanwa buttons/stick version. Alpha 2 is one of my favorite games of all time, that and Third Strike are basically my 1a and 1b, and I like the form factor of the small bartop + availability of quality Sanwa parts, so I guess I'm the target audience!

I have otherwise never been all that interested in Evercade, but since this thing will play all Evercade carts... any other strong recommendations? Is the emulation quality up to par?

Specific volume questions:
- Are the Toaplan volumes good? I do have the PS4/Switch Toaplan Arcade Garage games (which already have 3 of the 5 of the shooters on Vol.1. and 3 of the 4 on Vol.2), and kinda feel like the M2 treatment is the way to go, but might grab these, at least Vol.1 - Snow Bros on the bartop sounds neat.
- The other ones that sorta stuck out to me were the IREM and Renovation collections.

[Jeneki]

The Toaplan and Irem carts play fine. However they only have one (western) version of each game, for example if you want 1P Fire Shark or Kyukyoku Tiger with checkpoints you won't find them here.

[hamfighterx]

Ahhh good call out. That really does make the Toaplan vol.2 collection in particular quite a bit less appealing, since that's the one with Fire Shark and Twin Cobra. Maybe I'll just snag the IREM one some time, R-Type and In the Hunt would be pretty nice on the little bartop unit.

[TransatlanticFoe]

The new hardware is just too tiny to hold appeal for me, but the overall Evercade emulation performance has been excellent (as an Evercade VS owner).

The arcade offerings are a little barebones but you get several titles for £18 so it's hard to moan too much about a lack of regional variants or DIP switches. The console selections can be a mixed bag but that's generally a good thing - it's important retro gaming isn't just what the consensus says are the premier titles, but that there are obscurities to discover and also some absolute dreck that still holds memories for many (who hasn't had a mad aunt that's bought something awful that you've had to Stockholm Syndrome some love for). I think it's pretty hard to look at the Evercade lineup and not find several cartridges of interest.

All of the Evercade games are the Western versions so yes, sometimes this means the better version is absent (Kyukyoku Tiger vs. Twin Cobra). However if you have the M2 console ports already, you can just sit back and enjoy the extra titles that M2 haven't done yet. Using both Toaplan carts in the Evercade VS unlocks the Mega Drive port of Twin Hawk, which is nice - I think the new arcade tabletops will have two cartridge slots like the VS.

[TransatlanticFoe]

DIP switches now implemented!

https://evercade.co.uk/evercade-feature ... arch-2025/